Hartville sets trick-or-treat for Oct. 26 as council addresses local issues

Children looking forward to Halloween will want to note that Mayor Cynthia Billings reminded council at its Oct. 13 meeting that trick-or-treat will take place Sunday, Oct. 26, from 3 to 5 p.m., as directed by the Stark County Commissioners. Some allotments may set their own schedules.

Mayor Billings reported that the 720 Market in the Ville event on Oct. 4 went well.

Following a report by Councilman James Sullivan, council voted to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendations to approve general plan reviews for two properties, one at 125 W. Maple St. and the other at 240 Kent Ave.

Council passed, by emergency, an ordinance to amend annual appropriations for current expenses for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2025. Members also heard the third reading of an ordinance establishing truck routes in the village.

After Mayor Billings reported a complaint from a resident about neighbors parking in an alley, council engaged in extensive discussion about re-vacating alleys. Members voted to direct the village solicitor to draw up legislation for that purpose.

Council also discussed another complaint about noise from drones flying over private property and the Federal Aviation Administration’s rules regarding their use. Police Chief Kevin Moore spoke about the regulations.

After hearing a report from the Personnel Committee that the Board of Public Affairs had requested salary changes for employees of the wastewater treatment plant, council voted to direct the solicitor to draft legislation on the matter.

Police Chief Moore presented his report.

Village Engineer Samer Awadallah presented his report.

A resident addressed council with a complaint about the size of the “No Turn on Red” sign at the downtown square.

Mayor Billings offered the invocation.

Following the business meeting, council recessed to executive session for discussion of compensation for a public employee. No action was taken.

The next regular meeting of Hartville Village Council will be held in person Monday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 202 W. Maple St. The meeting will also be live-streamed on Facebook. Meetings may be viewed on the Videos page of the village’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/VillageofHartville/).